Projects per year
Abstract
Floodplain wetlands are complex fluvial systems that provide critical ecosystem services. Some floodplain wetlands suffer from erosion that threatens to create and enlarge channels and potentially disconnect wetlands from vital overbank flows. Excessive channel erosion can have dramatic effects on flow routing, inundation patterns and aquatic ecosystem dynamics. Channel erosion is sometimes mitigated by the use of bed control structures to arrest bed lowering and associated channel enlargement. Stream power modelling techniques based on Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) have rarely been used in low‐gradient rivers and wetlands. A modified stream power modelling method was used to identify hotspots of enhanced stream power, and therefore potential erosion risk, in the Ramsar‐listed Macquarie Marshes, NSW. Peaks in stream power occur where pronounced steps exist in channel longitudinal profiles, most notably at rock bed control structures. In low‐gradient floodplain wetlands, local over‐steepening within the channel is associated with increased stream power and erosion potential. Stream power modelling provides an important screening tool to prioritise sites for detailed investigation and erosion assessment. Ultimately, such modelling can guide further monitoring and/or interventions to reduce the risk of erosion and ecological deteriorations.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 10th Australian Stream Management Conference, 2-4 August 2021 |
Editors | T. Boyd, M. Coker, S. Gregor, A. Miller, A. Morris, K. Russell, I. D. Rutherford, G. J. Vietz, J. Walker, A. Wood |
Place of Publication | Melbourne |
Publisher | River Basin Management Society |
Pages | 240-246 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780646844916 |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Event | Australian Stream Management Conference (10th : 2021) - Online Duration: 2 Aug 2021 → 4 Aug 2021 Conference number: 10th |
Conference
Conference | Australian Stream Management Conference (10th : 2021) |
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Abbreviated title | 10ASM |
City | Online |
Period | 2/08/21 → 4/08/21 |
Keywords
- channel erosion
- discharge
- hydrology
- geomorphology
- stream power
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Exploring the relationship between channel bed control structures and stream power in low-gradient floodplain wetlands'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Evaluating and reducing the risk of floodplain wetland disconnection
Ralph, T., Fryirs, K., Hesse, P., Larkin, Z., Berney, P. & Kobayashi, T.
31/03/19 → 30/06/22
Project: Research
Impacts
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Wetlands in Drylands: conservation through environmental research, citizen science and global engagement
Tim Ralph (Participant)
Impact: Science impacts, Environment impacts, Policy impacts, Society impacts